The Politician

:

Season 1
  • Network: Netflix
  • Series Premiere Date: Sep 27, 2019
Season #: 2, 1
User Score
6.4

Generally favorable reviews- based on 40 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 25 out of 40
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 40
  3. Negative: 8 out of 40
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User Reviews

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  1. asmanraj
    Mar 21, 2020
    10
    If you are a Ryan Murphy fan like me, you will probably love this show, but if you are not, you will probably hate it. The most pleasant surprise in the first episode was a musical performance by Ben Platt. The show is darker and less comedic than I thought it would be, but still very entertaining. Also, I wonder if Payton Hobart's character was inspired by the lives of Ben Platt and PeteIf you are a Ryan Murphy fan like me, you will probably love this show, but if you are not, you will probably hate it. The most pleasant surprise in the first episode was a musical performance by Ben Platt. The show is darker and less comedic than I thought it would be, but still very entertaining. Also, I wonder if Payton Hobart's character was inspired by the lives of Ben Platt and Pete Buttigieg?… Expand
  2. ozibuns
    Sep 29, 2019
    9
    A light hearted, brilliantly entertaining and original series with a dash of cliche, caricature and panache. Watch it without expectation and you will not be disappointed.
  3. khia22
    Nov 18, 2019
    10
    Amazing, bright, funny, witty, different. I love every second. Ben Platt is now my new favourite person, Ryan murphy has amazing range I hope he never stops making his art.
  4. manningn15
    Jun 24, 2020
    10
    The Politician is my 2nd favorite new show of 2019, my 2nd favorite Netflix show, and one of my favorite shows of all time. Ben Platt's performance is outstanding, he gives a very emotionally powerful performances, he makes you go from laughing, to crying, to making you angry throughout every episode. The supporting performances are stupendous especially from Zoey Deutch, Jessica Lange,The Politician is my 2nd favorite new show of 2019, my 2nd favorite Netflix show, and one of my favorite shows of all time. Ben Platt's performance is outstanding, he gives a very emotionally powerful performances, he makes you go from laughing, to crying, to making you angry throughout every episode. The supporting performances are stupendous especially from Zoey Deutch, Jessica Lange, Lucy Boynton, Gwyneth Paltrow, David Corenswet, Julia Schlaepfer, Benjamin Barrett, Dylan McDermott, Trevor Mahlon Eason, Trey Eason, January Jones, Theo Germaine, and Ryan J. Haddad. The writing was excellent, very witty and unique. The makeup and hairstyling was superb especially on Zoey Deutch, Jessica Lange, Ben Platt, Benjamin Barrett, Lucy Boynton, Julia Schlaepfer, Rahne Jones, and Gwyneth Paltrow. The costumes were wonderful especially the ones wore by Ben Platt, Lucy Boynton, Julia Schlaepfer, Zoey Deutch, Jessica Lange, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Rahne Jones. This first season was an A+.… Expand
  5. HellonWheelz
    Oct 6, 2019
    5
    Even with a stellar cast, a fast paced story and excellent production, the show can't mask it's lack of likable, interesting or even believable characters. When Ryan Murphy shows are bad, it's still never boring, but it's annoying. Characters are in service of the plot, they're almost caricatures. If this indicates the type of shows that Ryan Murphy are going to produce for Netflix;Even with a stellar cast, a fast paced story and excellent production, the show can't mask it's lack of likable, interesting or even believable characters. When Ryan Murphy shows are bad, it's still never boring, but it's annoying. Characters are in service of the plot, they're almost caricatures. If this indicates the type of shows that Ryan Murphy are going to produce for Netflix; shows that might only appeal to a small audience, then Netflix just wasted a lot of money. (This review is based on the first three episodes.)… Expand
  6. Ecmmyers
    Oct 7, 2019
    5
    I really enjoyed the disk satirical look at the electoral process- from the voters to the politicians- through the lens of a relatively inconsequential race like student president. They managed to include great black comedy moments in an otherwise frivolous show with some great dialogue and character moments thrown in. Although some of the plot-forward moments were a bit contrived and theI really enjoyed the disk satirical look at the electoral process- from the voters to the politicians- through the lens of a relatively inconsequential race like student president. They managed to include great black comedy moments in an otherwise frivolous show with some great dialogue and character moments thrown in. Although some of the plot-forward moments were a bit contrived and the season stuttered a bit near the end, I found it a very entertaining watch due to the very evocative style and some very convincing performances by the main cats stuff high his HDTV it'd ruff St high HD GF… Expand
  7. sarah2
    Oct 8, 2019
    6
    Like the majority of Ryan Murphy's shows, The Politician has moments of brilliance, humour and (lots of) satire. On the whole, the cast is fantastic, and Ben Platt really shines in the main role. The show looks suitably lavish, with the direction and production highlighting the excessive wealth that surrounds the majority of the characters. Unfortunately, the show's treatment of itsLike the majority of Ryan Murphy's shows, The Politician has moments of brilliance, humour and (lots of) satire. On the whole, the cast is fantastic, and Ben Platt really shines in the main role. The show looks suitably lavish, with the direction and production highlighting the excessive wealth that surrounds the majority of the characters. Unfortunately, the show's treatment of its characters and their relationships remain frustratingly inconsistent. Character moments and developments that the show wants you to be invested in do not earn their place. The writers really needed to show rather than tell in those cases. Some of the supporting characters deserved far greater development and screen time. However, the finale added another point to my score, as the episode sparks new energy (and sublime acting) into the show. This sets up what should ideally be a superior second season. Overall, the show is watchable yet fails to live up the potential it could have.… Expand

Awards & Rankings

79
#79 Most Discussed TV Season of 2019

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
66

Generally favorable reviews - based on 32 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 18 out of 32
  2. Mixed: 14 out of 32
  3. Negative: 0 out of 32
  1. The Independent
    Reviewed by: Ed Cumming
    Jan 3, 2020
    40
    On this middling first series, it’s unclear how much more we want to see Hobart and co. Unlike its confident anti-hero, The Politician hasn’t decided what it wants to be.
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  2. The Telegraph
    Reviewed by: Helen Brown
    Jan 3, 2020
    100
    Although the relentless superficiality of the characters gets tiring, it allows you to keep laughing as they double cross and second guess each other at a turbocharged pace. There’s fun to be had at the expense of the premise of the school as a microcosm of American society.
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  3. The Guardian
    Reviewed by: Lucy Mangan
    Dec 4, 2019
    100
    It’s another dazzling Murphy triumph. It has his trademark hurricane of a narrative that sweeps you up and deposits you breathless and agape somewhere else entirely an hour later. He has garnered a set of blistering performances from his actors.
    Read full review
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